Easy Lentil Chicken Curry For Baby

If you’re tired of the usual lentil soup and want to try a different recipe, then this lentil chicken stir fry for baby-led weaning is for you.

It’s super easy to make with only two major ingredients. 

This chicken lentil stir fry can be served over rice or eaten alone. 

It’s a quick and easy meal for family dinners. 

Why I Love Making Chicken Lentil Stir Fry for Baby & Toddlers

Easy To Make In the Kitchen 

I first created this recipe one night because I had nothing to make for dinner.

We had a can of lentils in the pantry, and some rotisserie chicken from Costco.

So I decided to make stir fry with them to go over rice. The result was amazing!

I wanted my kids to have a well-balanced meal that didn’t take forever to make in the kitchen.

That’s how this baby-friendly chicken lentil stir fry was invented.

Naturally Gluten-free Meal

Lentils are a delicious protein for those who live a gluten-free lifestyle. They are naturally gluten-free and contain as much protein as animal meat (source).

So they are often used as a substitute.

Rice is also naturally gluten-free which makes it a great add-on to be served with lentils. 

With the combination of chicken, rice, and lentils, you’ll get a filling meal that’s gluten-free and easy to make.

Important Recipe Notes on Baby-led Weaning Lentil Chicken Stir Fry 

Use canned lentils to quicken the cooking process 

Canned lentils are my go-to for making quick meals like lentil chickpea curry or other variations. 

Since the lentils are already cooked, all you have to do is drain them and proceed with the recipe. 

You can also use dried lentils as well, but you’ll have to cook them beforehand. 

Use pre-cooked chicken if possible 

Another way to quicken the cooking process is to precook the chicken beforehand.

I like to use Costco rotisserie chicken for this purpose. 

You can also use chicken breast chopped into bits or shredded to make it safer for your baby.

Check out my garlic chicken breast bites for my easy chicken breast recipe. 

Remember to shred the chicken rather than cube them in small bites for younger babies. 

If serving over rice, cook the rice beforehand 

If you’re serving this lentil chicken stir fry with brown rice, then I suggest cooking the rice hours beforehand.

This will help make the meal a little quicker. 

You won’t have to worry about cooking the rice before sitting down to eat the meal. 

Ingredients For BLW Lentil and Chicken Stir Fry 

Lentils – drain and rinse them to remove some of the salt. Canned lentils tend to be salty.

Shredded chicken – Use store-bought rotisserie chicken for best results. You can also cook the chicken following this recipe. Baby-led Weaning Garlic Chicken Breast Bites.

Boullion powder – adds to the flavor of the stir fry.

Spices – I used thyme, paprika, garlic, and onion to enhance the flavor of the meal. Fresh spices are better.

Jump to Recipe

Why Lentils are Good For Babies and Toddlers

Lentils are great vegetables for babies and toddlers because of their nutrient content.

Lentils contain as much protein as meat, which makes them a great meat alternative for vegetarian and vegan families.

They also contain a lot of iron, B vitamins, and Folate. 

Another great benefit is the amount of carbs and fiber that lentils contain. (Source)

Overall they’re a great vegetable for babies and toddlers. 

What To Serve With Chicken Lentil Stir Fry For Baby

Serve with a side of rice 

Rice makes a great side dish for this baby-friendly lentil and chicken stir fry. It adds to the bulk of the meal and keeps your baby full for longer.

Serve with some couscous 

Couscous is another alternative to rice that I love making for my kids. It goes well with the savory flavor of lentils.

Serve with Naan Bread

Naan bread is one of my favorite things to serve with lentils. 

This stir fry is no exception.

You can roll up some lentils and chicken in the Naan to form a burrito and feed it to your baby this way.

Eat it on its own 

You don’t have to serve a side dish with this lentil chicken stir fry. Your baby can eat it on its own from a bowl. 

How To Serve Lentil Chicken Stir-fry For Baby-led Weaning

6-9 Months old

Allow your baby to eat it directly from the high chair or serve it in a bowl. 

By scooping to eat with their hands, your baby will learn how to eat independently.

9-12 months old

You can offer a preloaded spoon to assist your baby or toddler in the eating process.

It’s normal for them to go between eating with a spoon and their hands at this age. So give them space to do so.

12- 24 months and older

Older toddlers can be served chicken lentil stir fry in a bowl and allowed to use a spoon independently. 

Follow your child’s lead to see if they still need your assistance or if they’re ready to use a spoon independently.

Cooking Directions For Sweet Potato Tots for Baby

• Set a pan on medium heat and add the oil.
• When the oil is hot, saute the onion and garlic until fragrant. 
• Add the lentils and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and let the lentils simmer for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
• Add the cooked chicken, bouillon powder, paprika, and spices. Mix to combine. Cover and let simmer for 5 more minutes. Adjust spices to taste.
• Serve warm.

Storage Tips For Baby-friendly Lentil Chicken Stir Fry

Can I refrigerate this baby-friendly chicken lentil stir fry?

You can refrigerate this lentil and chicken stir fry for up to a week. Place it in a Pyrex container and store it in the coldest part of the fridge to preserve freshness. 

Can I freeze this toddler-friendly lentil chicken stir fry?

If you’re doing meal prepping, you can freeze this stir fry for as long as you need. 

I suggest you freeze them in individual servings in separate containers. 

This way, you won’t have to defrost the whole thing when you need to eat a small portion.

Reheating BLW Chicken and Lentils

On the stovetop 

You can reheat defrosted lentil chicken stir fry on the stovetop. 

Place in a pan and heat in a covered pan until it’s evenly hot. 

In the microwave 

You can reheat them in a microwave until it’s hot. This is the easiest way to reheat this lentil and chicken stir fry. 

Note that it may dry out the stir fry so you may need to add a little water to compensate.

Tips for Picky Eaters

Don’t pressure

Give your baby or toddler a chance to say no. It’s okay if they don’t like what we serve them. Keep trying. 

It takes at least 30 exposures for a baby to begin liking a food, so don’t give up.

Make it into a game

Sometimes I create games around the food I serve to get my kids interested in eating. 

A game we’ve played in the past is called “Here comes the airplane… open the garage”. This encourages them to open their mouth as I bring the food in like an airplane.

Sometimes my kids will try new foods this way.

Related recipes 

• Delicious Lentil Chickpea Curry For Baby

Did you make this baby-led weaning dinner recipe? 

Let me know in the comments how it turned out!